New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell showed plenty of promise during his 2016 rookie campaign. Playing as a rotational third/fourth option at wide receiver, the fourth-round draft pick contributed a combined 39 catches for 476 yards and four touchdowns to the team’s championship run. However, since New England’s Super Bowl 51 victory, it has been a rocky road for Mitchell.
The Georgia product dealt with knee issues throughout the 2017 offseason and was ultimately placed on injured reserve a mere hours before New England’s regular season opener. Eligible to be activated off the reserve list, Mitchell was designated one of the team’s two return players in late December.